Timepiece



Feb. 2, D, E N 2,069,622

TIMEPIEGE.

Filed Jan. 28, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 LOUD BELL BUZZER 0. 5 71 INVENTOR Dal/id Per/mam 6! I BY 92 @MWWJ ATTORN EYS Feb. 2, D. PERLMAN 'IYIMEPIEGE Filed Jan. 28, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I/Imnum-nuV/l A INVENTOR gawk! 1 1211272012 Patented Feb. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The present application is a continuation in part of .an application on electric alarm clock, Serial .No. 534.493, filed May 2, 1931, now Patent Number 1,913,948, June 13, 1933.

One object of the present invention is to provide new and improved means for controlling and operating the alarm system of a time piece.

Another object is to provide an electrically operated time piece having an alarm system, the timing mechanism of the time piece being operated from a motor, magnetically energized by a coil which also serves to operate said alarm system.

A further object is to provide an alarm clock having new and improved means for varying the tonal qualities of the alarm.

Another object is to provide a time piece having anelectrically operated alarm system which includes a vibratile armature, and new and improved means for tuning said armature into selective frequencies of vibrations lower than the frequency of the electric current which serves to energize said armature but in synchronous harmonic relationship therewith.

Another object is to provide am electrically operated timepiece having a manually startable synchronous motor, the shaft of which is protected against accidental interference.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved means controlled by the timing mechanism of the time piece, for setting the-alarm of the clock to ring at a predetermined time, and new and improved manually operated means whereby the alarm may be stopped atanytime, and the alarm reset to operate substantially after a period of time.

The invention also consists in certain new and important features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims,

' the invention itself, and the manner of its organization may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a form of time piece embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view, partly in section, of a timepiece shown in Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the time piece shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 4 shows details of the rear plate markings and cooperating rdd lever by means of which the tonal qualities of the alarm may be selectively adjusted.

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 are sectional views showing details of the alarm setting mechanism in different positions.

Fig. 8 is a rear elevational view, partly in section, of another form of the time piece embodying the present invention, and taken on line 88 of Fig. 9.

Fig. '9 is a bottom plan view of the time piece shown in Fig. 8. I

Fig. 10 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the time piece shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 shows details of the magnetic flywelght constituting part of the synchronous motor of the time piece of Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a section taken on line |2--I2 of Fig. 10.

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are sectional views showing details of the alarm setting mechanism of Fig. 8 in different operating positions, and taken on line I3l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a detail of a modified construction for protecting the shaft of the rotor of the time piece from accidental interferences, and

Fig.1? is a detail view of a portion mechanism shown in Fig. 15.

I Like reference characters denote like parts ;in the several figures of the drawings.

In the following description and in the claims parts will be identified by specific means for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

The invention is shown in Figs. 1-7 as adapted for use in an electrically operated time piece, the motive power therefor being advantageously obtained from a manually startable synchronous motor. I salient pole pieces I l, and mounted on a shaft 12 supported by spaced plates I 3 and I4 forming part of the frame structure of the time piece. The rotor I0 is disposed'between a pair of spaced stators [6 having salient pole pieces I! extendof the ing into the air gap between said rotor and stators. The stators l6 are preferably laminated, and are magnetically energized by a coil 18 in circuit with the alternating current delivered from a commercial source, the core of said coil being formed by a lamination of sheets 20 bridged between oppositely disposed stators l6.

In order to prevent the rotor Ill from turning intermittently faster andslower than the true average synchronous speed, as a result of electrical disturbances and variations, and in order to bring the rotor 10 more effectively'into syn,-

This motor includes a rotor l0 having chronous speed after being manually started,

there is provided a magnetic flyweight 22 loosely mounted on the shaft 12, and having spaced pole ends 23 .magnetically attracted to the face of the rotor Ill so as to be rotatable therewith. In order to prevent too strong an attraction between themagnetic flyweight 22 and the rotor i0,

and to permit relative. rotation between said members when the rotor is retarded or accelerated, there is interposed between said members a nonmagnetic membrane 24.

Therotor shaft I2 has mounted thereon a pinion meshing with the first gear of the gear train which drives the hands of the clock, de tails of said gear train being eliminated for the sake of simplicity. The synchronous motor is started by twirling the shaft I2, a twirling knob 26 being provided for that purpose at the rear end of said shaft.

As an important feature of the present invention, the alarm system of the time piece ismagnetically energized for operation by the same coil I8 which serves to drive the synchronous motor. For that piirpose, the stators I6 are extended downwardly as shown in Fig. 2, and have" detachably connected to the lower ends thereof a series of U-shaped sheets 21 arranged in lamination, and having one set of arms 28 thereof 1 extending into the interior of the coil I8- to form slot 46 in the bracket 35.

a core for said coil-,the other set of arms of said sheets 21 forming spaced pole members 30 and 3| in combination with the lower portions of said stators. By means of this arrangement, the magnetic strength of these pole members 30 and 3| may be easily varied by increasing or decreasing the number of laminations constituting said members.

The pole members 30 and 3| are adaptedto magnetically attract a vibratile armature plate 32 connected to one arm of an angularly shaped leaf spring 34, and forming part of a hammer for striking the alarm. The other arm of this spring 34 is connected to a bracket 35 secured to the plate I4 by any suitable means, as for instance screws 36 and 31. The outer end of the armature plate 32 is adapted to intermittently strike an alarm bell 38 under the magneticinfluence of the pole members 30 and 3I.

Since the frequency of the electric current which energizes the pole members 30 and 3|, may be too high for effective audible ringing of the alarm, it may be desired to adjust and tune the vibrations of the armature to a low frequency having synchronous harmonic relationship with the frequency of the electric current. For that purpose, there is connected to the outer free end of the armature plate 32 a slider 40 connected to said plate by a screw 4| passing through an elongated slot 42 in said slider, whereby said slider may be adjusted in position lengthwise of said armature plate. This slider 40 not only serves as a weight for striking the bell 38, but also serves as a means for adjusting the frequency of vibration of the armature plate 32. r

For effecting further adjustments of the frequency of vibration of the armature plate 32, the outer end of that arm of the leaf spring 34 connected to the bracket 35, extends beyond said bracket and is engaged by a screw 43 passing through a bracket. 44. The angular position of the armature plate 32 with respect to the pole members 30 and 3| may be varied in response to the pressure action of the screw 43, thescrew 36 for that purpose passing through an elongated By means of this arrangement, the angular position cfthe bracket 3. is roughly adjusted about the screw 31, fine adjustments being effected through the pressure action of the screw 43 on the outer end of the leaf spring 34. This adjustment causes a corresponding adjustment in frequency of vibration of the armature plate 32.-

In order to selectively adjust the quality and intensity of the alarm ringing, there is provided a rod 50 journalled in the plates I4 and I5 and carrying a cam 5I disposed in the path of vibration of the armature plate 32. This cam 5I is so constructed and s0 mounted that when the high portion of the cam is facing the armature plate 32 as shown in Fig. 2, this plate is entirely blocked from vibration, and when the cam is turned 180 from this position, the outer end of the plate is free to strike the bell 38 with unimpeded force. In some intermediate positions, the armature plate 32 in its vibration action strikes the cam 5| and produces a buzzer sound against said cam. I

To prevent the cam 5| from being turned over by the continuous hammering of 'the armature plate 32, said cam is frictionally locked to one side of the plate I4 by means of a spring 53 encircling the rod 50 and having the ends thereof engaging the other side of the plate, and a collar,54 secured to said rod. The rear end of the rod 50 has connected thereto a lever 55 which serves as a means for rotating the rod in any selective position, and which may also serve as a pointer for indicatively cooperating with dial markings on the plate, as shown in Fig. 4.

For setting the alarm to ring at a predetermined time, there is provided a rod 60 journalled between the two plates I4 and I5 and carrying at the rear end thereof a knob 62. end of the rod 63 passes through the plate I3, and at times projects beyond the front face of said plate, as will be hereinafterdiscussed. The portion of the rod 60 extending between the two plates I3 and I4 carries a pinion 64 having a flange 65 at one end thereof presenting a shoulder. The rod 60 is slidably mounted and urged to the left as shown in Figs. 1, and 5-7, by a spring 66 encircling the rod 60 and disposed between the flange 65 and the plate M.

The pinion 64 meshes with a gear 68 fixedto a shaft 69, one end of which passes through the plate I4. The other end of this shaft extends through a dial plate 10 and has a hand II for indicating the setting of the alarm operation.

The shaft 69 is held in position against axial movement in one direction with respect to the plate I4, by any suitable means, as for instance a nut Ila threaded on to the rear end of said shaft 69, and is yieldably held in position against movement in the opposite direction by a curved spring member I2 mounted on said shaft so as to engage shoulders on said shaft, and having the ends thereof engaging the front face of the plate I4. This spring member I2 also serves to frictionally lock the shaft 69 against rotation.

Loosely mounted on the shaft 69 is a gear I3 which is driven through a chain of gears from the main timing mechanism in the direction indicated in Fig. 1, and which has a hub I4. ex tending from both sides of said gear, the front portion of the hub "being provided with a helical cam surface I5. Fixed to the shaft 69 so as to be rotatable therewith, is a pin I6 which rides on this cam surface I5. The position of this The front pin I6 is set by turning the knob 62. the rotational surface is adapted to engage one edge of the armature 32 and movesaid armature away from the pole members 30 and 3| when the rod is shifted to the right as viewed in Fig. 1. This movement of the armature 32 is continued until the member 80 is shifted into blocking position with respect to said armature, as shown in said Fig. 1.

Means are provided for automatically shifting the rod 63 so as to move the member 83 out of the path of the armature 32 at a predetermined time as determined by the setting of the cam pin 16. For that purpose, there is mounted on the front face of the plate I3 a leaf spring 8|, one end of which is connected to the plate by any suitable means, as for instance rivet 82, the other end of said spring having an angular extension 83. This spring 8| is provided with an aperture for receiving the shaft (59, and is yieldably urged in a clockwise direction against the hub I4, so as to maintain the came surface I5 of the hub in engagement with the cam pin I6.

The rod 60 is held in position for blocking the armature plate 32 by a leaf spring 84, one-end of which is secured to the frame structure of the time piece, the other end being yieldably urged against the flange 65, so that when said rod is pulled to the right as viewed in Fig. l, the free end of the spring 84 will snap into engagement with said flange and hold said rod in position, with the member 83 blocking the armature plate 32 against vibration. The spring 84 has the free end thereof angularly inclined with respect to the rod to and engaged by the angular extension 83 of the leaf spring 8|. The outer end of the angular extension 83 is advantageously slightly offset to present a curved surface to the angularly inclined portion of the spring 84.

In as much as the cam pin i5 is held against axial movement, and since the hub I4 is looseiy' mounted on the shaft 69, it is seen that as the gear I3 is rotated by the timing mechanism in the direction indicated in Fig. 1, the hub: I4 will be moved axially towards the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, by the action of the cam pin I6 on the cam surface I5. This movement of the hub I4 to the right serves to move the spring BI in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. i. This counterclockwise movement of the spring 8| causes its angular extension 83 engaging the inclined portion of the spring. 84, to shift said spring 84 away from engagement with the flange until said flange is freed from the restraining action of said spring 84 as shown in Fig. 5. However, it is seen that in this position, the spring 8! will have moved into position to engage the front end of the rod 50 and hold said rod from shifting to the left a sufficient distance to withdraw the member 30 from blocking position with respect to the armature plate 32.

In Fig. 5, the gear wheel 33 is shown in a. position wherein the highest portion of the cam surface 15 is in engagement with the cam pin i6. At the next instant when this high portion of the cam surface over-rides the pin, the hub I4 will instantly shift to the left under the resilient action of the spring 8i, so that the cam pin I6 will be in engagement with the lowest portion of the cam surface i5 as shown in Fig. 6. This operation permits the spring 8! to move clockwise so that the rod 63 is permitted to move to the left under the action of the spring 66 as shown in Fig. 6, the'leaf spring 84 at this instant beingheld outside of the path of the flange 65 by the angular extension 83 of the spring BI. 'The axial movement of the rod 69 said stators.

serves to shift the member out of the path of the armature plate 32 so that said armature is free to vibrate under the action of the pole members 30 and 3|.

While the spring 8I is moving clockwise, its angular extension 83 is'moving away from the spring 84, thereby permitting said spring84 to approach the rod 60 until the position shown in Fig. 6 is attained.

If it is desired to reset the alarm for another twenty-four-hour period, all that is necessary is to shift the rod 60 to the right as viewed in Fig. 1, to snap the free end of the leaf spring 84 into engagement with the flange 65, and to move the member 80 into blocking position with the armature plate 32.

If it is desired to reset the alarm from the front of the time piece, there is provided a plate mounted at one end to the front face of the frame plate I3, and having an aperture 9| for the passage therethrough of the-angular extension 83 of the spring III. This plate 90 is yieldably mount-' ed so as to be constantly urged into engagement with the spring III and has the free end thereof engaged by a slidable member or plunger 92 which is axially shiftable by hand to the right as' shown in Fig. 1. When the member 92 is shifted to the right, it engages the plate 90 and causes said plate to swing in a counterclockwise direction, thereby pushing the rod 60 to the right into reset position as viewed in Fig. 7. The aperture 9! is sufliciently large to permit this movement of the plate 90 without interfering with the position of the spring 8|.

In Figs. 8-15, there is shown another form of the present invention the time piece in this form being supported in a suitable frame structure which includes, for instance, a front frame plate I III, a rear frame plate I I I, and an intermediately disposed'frame plate H2. The time piece is electrically operated advantageously by a manually startable synchronous motor which includes a rotor H3 having salient pole pieces 4 and an angularly shaped yoke H6. The ends of this yoke II6 are supported on a pair of post members III secured to the intermediate frame plate I I2. The rotor II 3 is disposed between a pair of spaced stators H8, having salient polepieces I20 extending into the air gap between said rotor and The stators II8 are preferably formed from a plurality of laminated sheets and are magnetically energized by a coil I2I in circuit with the alternating circuit delivered from a commercial source. The core of the coil I2I is formed by a lamination of sheets I22 bridged between the oppositely disposed stators I I8.

In order to prevent the rotor H3 from turning intermittently faster and slower than the true average synchronous speed, there is provided a magnetized fiyweight bar I23 loosely mounted on the shaft H5, and bent to form spaced pole ends I24 magnetically attracted to the face of the rotor H3, so as to be rotatable therewith. In order to produce a more balanced flyweight and increase its weight without increasing its magnetic power, the bar I23 is filled in and surrounded by nonmagnetic material such as lead I25 forming therewith a solid metal flywheel, as shown in Fig. 11. To prevent too strong an attraction between the magnetic flyweight I23 and the rotor H3,

and to prevent relative rotation between said members when the rotor'is retarded or accelerated, there is interposed between said members a non-magnetic membrane I 26.

The synchronous motor is started by twirling lifted to obtain access to the knob I21. The de-- pression in the rear plate III is sufficiently wide so as not to interfere with the free twirling manipulation of the knob I21.

Fig. 16 shows another way in which the knob may be protected against accidental contact, the rear plate III, in this form, being fiat throughout, and a cup-shaped cover I32 being provided which is hinged to said rear plate at I33 and which encloses the knob I21 when in closed position as shown.

The shaft I I5 serves to drive the timing mechanism by the usual train of gears, details of which have been eliminated for the purpose of simplification. The timing is effected through a time setting shaft I35 having a manipulating knob I36 at the rear end thereof.

The alarm system is electrically operated from the same coil I2I which operates the synchronous motor, and for that purpose, the stators II8 extend downwardly to formspaced pole members I40 and HI. These pole members I40 and MI serve to magnetically energize a bell armature I42 having a hammer which strikes a bell I43 cylindrically shaped and having an end wall I44 facing the rear of the time piece. The bell I43 is supported in position by any suitable means, as for instance a bolt I45 connected to the frame plate H2, and passing through thecenter of the bell wall I43. A sleeve I46 encircles the bolt I 45 and has the rear end thereof abutting the bell wall I44. The rear end of the bolt I45 has a nut I41 threaded thereon, for holding said bell in position against the end of the sleeve I46.

The armature for striking the bell I43 comprises a leaf spring I50 having two angularly extending arms I5I and I52, the arm I5I being secured to the bracket I53 connected to the frame structure of the time piece. The other arm I52 has connected thereto a heavy armature plate I54 adapted to be energized by the pole members I40 and MI. In order to obtain a more effective and louder sounding of the bell I43, the hammer which strikes the bell is resiliently mounted with respect to the armature plate I54, said hammer for that purpose including a flexible strip of metal I55 attached to the armature plate I54 by means of a rigid connecting plate I56. The free end of the strip I55 has connected thereto a weight for striking the bell, said weight advantageously taking the form of a bolt I51 passing through said strip I55, and having a nut I58 threaded on to said bolt. Since this weight is usually left uh disturbed, once the proper. adjustment thereof is attained, the bolt I51 may be in the form of a rivet, the end of which is upset against the nut I58 to effect permanent attachment.

By means of the present arrangement, the free end of the strip I55, due to its flexible mounting,

IZ'I secued the shaft II5, the rear end of said shaft, for that ture plate I54 has reached its extreme position towards the pole members I40 and MI. The strip I55 will rebound more effectively from its bell striking position and flex with respect to the armature plate I54 from extreme positions of the latter, so that said strip will have greater amplitude of vibrations, than the armature plate I54, but the same frequency, thereby increasing the intensity of the ring.

In order to prevent the armature plate I54 from striking any metal parts while under the vibrating action'of the pole members I40 and HI, a flexible member'preferably in the form of a rubber member is interposed in the vibrating path of said armature plate. This rubber member may be mounted as shown in Fig. 9, by interposing a strip of rubber I58a between a pair of adjacent laminations of the pole member I4I, or, if desired, a post I 60 may be' provided connected to the plate I I2, and having a reduced portion I 6| for receiving a rubber washer I62 lying in the path of vibration of the armature plate I54. These rubber members not only serve to prevent the clashing of the armature plate I54 with any metallic members when under the vibrating action of the magnet, but also serve to rebound said armature plate into inactive position.

To regulate the frequency of vibration of the armature plate I54, means are provided for swinging the bracket I53 upon which said spring is mounted. This bracket I53 'is pivotally held near one end thereof by a bolt I65 constituting part of the frame structure of the machine. The bracket I53 near the other end thereof is provided with an elongated slot I66 through which passes a screw I61. Mounted against the bracket I53 is a second bracket I68 having an angular extension I68a through which passes an adjusting screw I69, the end of which impinges against the spring arm I5I. The bracket I60 is held in position by the bolt I65 and the screw I61 The be reduced through the addition of weights to l the armature plate I54 itself. Fine adjustments of the frequency of vibration of the armature plate I54 may be effected through the manipulation of the adjusting screw I69.

In order to selectively adjust the quality and intensity of the alarm ring, there is provided a rod I10 journalled between the plates III and I I2, and. carrying a. cam I1I disposed in the path of vibration of the armature plate I54. This cam Ill isso constructed and so mounted that when the high portion of the cam is facing the armature plate I54 as shown in Fig. 8, this plate is entirely blocked from vibration, and when the cam is turned 180 from this position, the bolt I61 strikes the bell I43 with unimpeded force. Between these two extreme positions of the cam IN is a position in which a buzzing sound is produced, the rod for that purpose having mounted thereon a second cam I12 having a high portion which may be rotated to move into engagement with the cylindrical wall of the bell I43 between said two extreme positions. This cam I12 serves to muflle or deaden the ring of the bell I43 and produces a loud buzzer sound. The cams HI and I12 are so rotatably disposed relatively that at first cam I12, by rotating the shaft I10 by means of the adjusting lever I15, engages the bell to cause a deadening of the sound produced by the bell. As the adjusting lever I15 is further rotated, a still higher eccentric section of the cam I12 engages the bell, thus causing an added muilllng effect of the sound produced by the bell. If the regulating lever I15 is rotated still further, no further muilling of the bell takes place, but the vibrating path of the armature plate I54 is now restricted bythe cam I1I,- thus causing a reduction of the striking intensity of the armature and consequently a decrease of the intensity of the sound produced by the bell,

until a point is reached where a loud buzzer noise I51 from striking the bell I43, and effecting a low buzzer sound.

To prevent the cams HI and I12 from being accidentally turned over by the continuous vibration of the armature plate I54. the cam I1I is frictionally locked to one side of the plate II2 by means of a spring I13 encircling the rod I10 and having the ends thereof engaging the other side of the plate, and a collar. I14 secured to said rod.

The rear end of the rod I10 has connected thereto a lever I15 which serves as a means for turning the rod in any selective position, and which may also serve as a pointer for indicatively cooperating with the dial markings on the rear plate III.

For setting and resetting the alarm, and for stopping the operation of the alarm, there is provided improved means including a rod I11 supported by the frame plates H0, III and H2 and loosely mounted thereon to slide axially in said plates, with the front end thereof at times projecting beyond the plate III) as shown in Figs. 10 and 13. The rear end of this rod I11 is provided with a knob I18 by means of which said rod may be manipulated.

When the alarm is not operating, the armature plate I54 is blocked against vibration as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, by a block member I80 fixed to the rod I11 and having the end thereof nearest said plate bevelled to provide a cam surface. This camsurface is adapted to ride over the edge of the armature; plate I54 and move said plate away from the pole members I and MI when the rod I11 is shifted to the right as viewed in Fig. 10. This movement of the armature Plate I54 is continued until the block member 180 is shifted in blocking position with respect to said plate as shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

Means are provided for automatically shifting the rod I11 so as to move the member I80 out end of the rod I8I carries a cam member I82 comprising a cylindrical member I83 having a projection I84 which presentaa helical cam surface I85.

The cam member I82 is frictionally locked into contact with the front face of the frame plate II2 by means of a spring I86, one end of which engages the rear face of said plate, and the other abutting a shoulder I81 formed by an enlargement of the rod NH. The rotation of this rod I8I serves to rotate the cam member I82 carried thereby into any predetermined position in accordance with the time selected for the ringing of the alarm.

Cooperating with the .cam member I82 is a cam member I 90 loosely mounted upon the rod II for slidable movement therealong, said cam member I90 being turned by the timing mechanism through a gear train including a gear I9I connected to a plate I92 having a pair of spaced dogs I93 which engage a projection I94, at one end of the cam member I90. This arrangement permits the rotation of the cam member I90 with the gear I9I while permitting said cam member to slide along the rod I8I.

The cam member I90 is provided with a main cylindrical body having .a projection I98 which presents a helical cam surface I91 adapted to slide in contact with the helical cam surface I85 of the cam member I82. It is seen, therefore, that after the cam member I82 has been set for the ringing of the alarm at any selective time, it will remain in that position. However, the cam member I90 will be continuously driven by the timing mechanism in the direction indicated, with its cam surface I91 in contact with the camsurface I85.

The two cam surfaces I85 and I 91 are urged into contact with each other by yieldable means which serve to shift the rod I11 to withdraw the block member I80 from contact with the armature plate I54 when the two cam members I82 and I90 have reached a predetermined relationship.

For that purpose, there is provided a link 200, one end of which is bifurcated to straddle the cam member I90, and to contact with a flange 20I secured to said cam member. The other end of the link 200 is also bifurcated to form a pair of spaced prongs 202 and 202a which straddle portion 206, passing between the prongs 202 and 1 202a. The link 200 is pivoted intermediate its ends, and for that purpose is provided with a pair of spaced lugs 201 pivotally engaging a pair of spaced lugs 208 struck out or otherwise secured.

to the plate II2.

Engaging the collar 204 so as to hold the rod I11 in position to block the armature I 54, is a leaf spring 2I0, one end of which is attached by any suitable means, as for instance rivets 2, to the rear surface of. the frame plate 0, the free end of said spring being offset to form an angular extension 2 I 2 presenting an inclined surface with respect to the sleeve 203, this angular extension being yieldably urged by its resiliency towards said sleeve, and adapted to snap into engagement with the collar 204 when the rod I11 is pulled into its extreme upper position for resetting operations as shown in Fig. 14. The sleeve 203 is urged downwardly as viewed in Fig. 14, along the rod I 11 by means of a coil spring 2I3, disposed between the collar 204 and the front surface of the plate II2.

In the operation of the alarm setting mechanism, as the cam surface I91 of the cam member I90 rides over the cam surface I 85 'of the cam member I82 in the direction indicated in Figs. 13-15, said cam member I90 is moved downwardly as viewed in said figures, so that the link 200 -is turned in a counterclockwise direction. The

prong 202 being in engagement with=the angular extension 2 I2 of the spring 2 I 0, causes that extension to be moved away outwardly from engagement with the collar 204. The movement of the link 200 is continued until the cam member I90- is at its lowermost position as shown in Fig. 15. Just at that moment, the parts of themechanism are so arranged that the angular extension 2I2 of the spring 2I0 will be entirely out of the axial path of the collar 204 so that the sleeve 203, un-

der the action of the spring 2I3 will be moved downwardly until the shoulders 205 and 205a on said sleeve engage the prongs 202 and 202a respectively, of the link 200. However, the movement of this sleeve 203 will be very slight, and not suificient to entirely remove the member I80 fromblocking engagement with the armature plate I54. If desired, the shoulders 205 and 205amay lie in different planes, as shown in Fig. 17, and the prong 202a of the link 200 bent or adjusted to engage theshoulder 20511.. By means of this arrangement, the movement of the sleeve 203 from the position shown in Fig. 14 to the v vibration of the armature plate I 54. This movement of the rod I11 is transmitted through the link 200 to the cam member I90 which is moved thereby into its uppermost position shown in Fig. 13. As the link 200 is moved in a clockwise direction by the downward movement of the rod I11, the end of the prong 202 slides along the inclined surface of the spring extension 2I0 so that said extension is free to move towards the sleeve 203 under the influence of its resilient mounting, until it rests in the position shown in Fig. 13. Under these conditions, the armature plate I54 is free to vibrate.

The setting of the alarm for another twentyfour hours can then be reestablished merely by pulling the rod I11 to permit the edge of the spring extension 2I0 to snap into engagement with the collar 204, so that said rod will be held in position with the member I00 blocking the armature plate I54 as shown in Fig. 14, until the predetermined time as determined by the setting of the cam member I82 is reached.

The setting of the alarm may be achieved by pulling the rod I11 by the knob I18 at the rear end thereof, or if desired means are provided for setting the alarm from the front of the time piece. For that purpose, a spring lever 2I5 is provided fastened at one end to the front face of the frame plate H0, and normally urged into position shown in Fig. 10, with the portion thereof opposite the front end of the rod I11 spaced from the surface of said frame plate. A push rod 2IB is provided engaging the spring lever 2I5 and adapted to move said leverso that said lever engages the front end of the rod I11 and shifts it into the position shown in Fig. 14.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. A clock including an. alarm mechanism, said mechanism comprising an alarm bell, a vibratile hammer adapted to strike said bell, means for adjusting the vibrating amplitude of said hammer to regulate the intensity of the sound of said bell, further adjusting means for deadenin the sound produced by said bell, and a unitary control element for both said adjusting means for successively effecting a muifling and decrease of the intensity of the sound of said bell.

2. In an alarm mechanism, a bell, a vibratile hammer disposed in a position to strike said bell, actuating means for vibrating said hammer, a shaft mounted for rotation, a first cam mounted upon said shaft having an eccentric portion adapted to be moved into the path of vibration of said hammer for regulating the force with which said hammer strikes said bell,-a second cam mounted upon said shaft having an eccentric portion adapted to be moved into engagement with said bell to cause a deadening of the sound of said bell, said cams being relatively displaced to cheat a successive mufliin'g and decrease of the intensity of the sound of said bell by mtation of said shaft.

3. In an alarm mechanism, a bell, a vibratile.

hammer disposed to strike said bell, means for vibrating said hammer, a rod, and a pair of cams mounted'upon said rod, said rod being rotatable so that the eccentric portion of one of said cams may be moved into the path of vibration of said hammer to vary its amplitude of vibration, said other cam having an eccentric portion re1ative- .ly displaced with respect to the eccentric portion of said first cam'and adapted to engage said bell to deaden the sound of said bell.

4. In an alarm mechanism, a bell, a vibrating element adapted to strike said bell, adjusting means for limiting the amplitude of vibration of said element, further means adapted to engage said bell to effect a gradually increasing deadening of the sound of said bell, and a unitary controlling organ for said first and second means for causing a successive mufliing and decrease of the intensity of the sound of said bell.

5. In an alarm mechanism, a bell, a vibrating element adapted to strike said bell, a first cam having an eccentric portion adapted to be moved, into the path of vibration of said element for gradually decreasing the force with which that element strikes said hell, '2. second cam having an eccentric portion adapted to be moved into engagement with said bell to cause a gradually increasing deadening of the sound of said bell, a common actuating organ for said cams, said cams being displaced relatively to effect a suc-. cessive gradual deadening and decrease of intensity of the sound of said hell by the operation of said organ.

6. In an alarm mechanism, a bell, a vibratile hammer adapted to strike said bell, means for vibrating said hammer, a'combined sound deadening means for said bell and amplitude regulating means for said hammer, and a unitary actuating organ therefor, said sound deadening means and amplitude regulating means being designed and disposed relatively to said actuating organ to effect a. successive gradual muiliing and decrease of intensity of. the sound of said bell by the operation of said organ.

DAVID PERLMAN. 

